U.S. patent application number 16/033133 was filed with the patent office on 2019-01-17 for system and method for transport and installation of a screen assembly.
This patent application is currently assigned to Centor Design Pty Ltd. The applicant listed for this patent is Centor Design Pty Ltd. Invention is credited to Martin Haberland, Christopher Smith.
Application Number | 20190017318 16/033133 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 64745593 |
Filed Date | 2019-01-17 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190017318 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Smith; Christopher ; et
al. |
January 17, 2019 |
System and Method for Transport and Installation of a Screen
Assembly
Abstract
A screen assembly including a flexible screen having a first
edge and a second edge, a substantially vertical supporting member
about which the screen can be wound/unwound and to which the first
edge of the screen is mounted, a drum associated with at least one
end of the supporting member, at least one line member that can be
wound onto and off the drum, and a first removable clip. The first
removable clip including: a body portion defining an opening for
receiving a portion of a supporting member and drum assembly, and
an upwardly extending portion, wherein the upwardly extending
portion is configured to hold the at least one line member relative
to an external surface of the drum during transportation of the
screen assembly or prior to operation of the screen assembly.
Inventors: |
Smith; Christopher; (Eagle
Farm, AU) ; Haberland; Martin; (Eagle Farm,
AU) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Centor Design Pty Ltd |
Eagle Farm |
|
AU |
|
|
Assignee: |
Centor Design Pty Ltd
|
Family ID: |
64745593 |
Appl. No.: |
16/033133 |
Filed: |
July 11, 2018 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E06B 9/42 20130101; E06B
2009/543 20130101; E06B 9/54 20130101 |
International
Class: |
E06B 9/42 20060101
E06B009/42; E06B 9/54 20060101 E06B009/54 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 12, 2017 |
AU |
2017902739 |
Claims
1. A screen assembly including: a flexible screen having a first
edge and a second edge, a substantially vertical supporting member
about which the screen can be wound/unwound and to which the first
edge of the screen is mounted, a drum associated with at least one
end of the supporting member, at least one line member that can be
wound onto and off the drum, and a first removable clip including:
a body portion defining an opening for receiving a portion of a
supporting member and drum assembly, and an upwardly extending
portion, wherein the upwardly extending portion is configured to
hold the at least one line member relative to an external surface
of the drum during transportation of the screen assembly or prior
to operation of the screen assembly.
2. The screen assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body
portion includes an inner surface for abutting an outer surface of
a mounting assembly.
3. The screen assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the mounting
assembly includes the supporting member.
4. The screen assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the shape of
the inner surface of the body portion corresponds to a portion of a
mounting assembly.
5. The screen assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body
portion is annular.
6. The screen assembly as claimed in claim, 1 wherein the body
portion includes a pair of shaped arms defining an opening for
allowing the supporting member to enter the channel defined by the
body portion.
7. The screen assembly as claimed in claim 6, wherein the pair of
arms are at least partially resilient to allow temporary outwardly
deflection during mounting to the supporting member and during
removal from the supporting member, and which when attached at
least relative to the supporting member, exerts a clamping force to
resist accidental but not determined removal.
8. The screen assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body
portion further includes an upper surface for abutting an outer
surface of the drum.
9. The screen assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein the outer
surface of the drum is a bottom surface.
10. The screen assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body
portion further includes one or more recesses that extend from an
inner surface of the resilient body portion and extend
outwardly.
11. The screen assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upwardly
extending portion extends from the body portion.
12. The screen assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upwardly
extending portion extends towards an upper surface of the drum.
13. The screen assembly as claimed claim 1, wherein the upwardly
extending portion extends on an angle.
14. The screen assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upwardly
extending portion further includes an overhang portion.
15. The screen assembly as claimed in claim 14, wherein the
overhang portion extends inwardly toward a central axis defined by
the body portion above the opening in the body portion.
16. The screen assembly as claimed in claim 14, wherein the
overhang portion is configured to secure the upwardly extending
portion relative to the drum in order to prevent the at least one
line member from falling from the drum or becoming loose.
17. The screen assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first
removeable clip further includes a second body portion for aiding
in the mounting, removal or both the mounting and the removal of
the body portion to or from the supporting member.
18. The screen assembly as claimed in claim 1, further including a
drawbar to which the second edge of the screen is mounted, and a
second removable clip including: a first body portion defining a
first opening for receiving at least a portion of the supporting
member, and a second body portion defining a second opening for
receiving at least a portion of the drawbar, wherein the first body
portion is mountable relative to at least a portion of the
supporting member and the second body portion is mountable relative
to at least a portion of the drawbar such that the supporting
member and the drawbar are held in a fixed relationship relative to
one another.
19. The screen assembly as claimed in claim 17, wherein the second
removable clip further includes one or more a structural support
walls configured to prevent relative movement between the first
body portion and the second body portion of the second removable
clip.
20. A method of installing a screen assembly, the method including:
a. positioning a screen assembly relative to a window or door frame
defining an opening, the screen assembly including: i. a flexible
screen having a first edge and a second edge, ii. a substantially
vertical supporting member about which the screen can be
wound/unwound and to which the first edge of the screen is mounted,
iii. a drum associated with at least one end of the supporting
member, iv. at least one line member that can be wound onto and off
the drum, v. a drawbar to which the second edge of the screen is
mounted, vi. a first removable clip including: A. a body portion
defining a opening for receiving a portion of a supporting member
and drum assembly, and B. an upwardly extending portion, wherein
the upwardly extending portion is configured to hold the at least
one line member relative to an external surface of the drum during
transportation of the screen assembly or prior to operation of the
screen assembly; and, vii. a second removable clip including: C. a
first body portion defining a first opening for receiving at least
a portion of the supporting member, and D. a second body portion
defining a second opening for receiving at least a portion of the
drawbar, wherein the first body portion is mountable relative to at
least a portion of the supporting member and the second body
portion is mountable relative to at least a portion of the drawbar
such that the supporting member and the drawbar are held in a fixed
relationship relative to one another; b. removing the first
removable clip from engagement with the supporting member; and c.
removing the second removable clip from relative engagement with
the supporting member.
21. A removable clip for a screen assembly including: a flexible
screen, a substantially vertical supporting member about which the
screen can be wound/unwound, a drum associated with at least one
end of the supporting member, and at least one line member that can
be wound onto and off the drum, the clip including: a body portion
defining an opening for receiving a portion of a supporting member
and drum assembly, and an upwardly extending portion configured to
hold the at least one line member relative to an external surface
of the drum.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates generally to the field of
extendable and retractable screens that can be used in a window or
door cavity, or any other area which may benefit from the assembly
and which contains a flexible sheet like member (for instance an
insect screen) which can be pulled across the window or door cavity
and particularly to a transportable screen assembly for mounting
within a window or door frame.
BACKGROUND
[0002] It is well known to provide a roll up, or retractable,
screen assembly that can extend across a window or door. In most
cases, a flexible screen can be wound about a wooden, metal or
plastic rod or pole which is positioned in a substantially
horizontal manner such that the screen assembly can be pulled up or
pulled down in a vertical direction. A holland blind is an example
of this type of screen assembly.
[0003] It is also known to provide a retractable screen assembly
that can move in a horizontal direction across a window or door
cavity, and with this type of assembly, the screen (for instance a
mesh) can be wound about a substantially vertical rod or pole
(typically located at one side of the cavity).
[0004] The present invention is directed primarily to a
transportable screen assembly that can move horizontally across a
window or door cavity when mounted thereto. However, there may be
parts of the invention which may find suitability in up and down
screens or screens which are extended and retracted in other
manners.
[0005] One disadvantage of such horizontal screen assembles
involves a drum around which a line member is wound and unwound. In
particular, it is a known problem that the line member can fall
from the drum, or become loose from the drum. This may occur at
many stages, including during transportation of the screen
assembly, prior to installation of the screen assembly or at any
time that there is any slack in the line member. Once the line
member falls from the drum or becomes loose from the drum, it is
then extremely difficult to remount the line member correctly to
the drum.
[0006] It will be clearly understood that, if a prior art
publication is referred to herein, this reference does not
constitute an admission that the publication forms part of the
common general knowledge in the art in Australia or in any other
country.
DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
[0007] The present invention is directed to a screen assembly,
which may at least partially overcome the abovementioned
disadvantage or provide the consumer with a useful or commercial
choice.
[0008] With the foregoing in view, the present invention in one
form, resides broadly in a screen assembly including: [0009] a
flexible screen having a first edge and a second edge, [0010] a
substantially vertical supporting member about which the screen can
be wound/unwound and to which the first edge of the screen is
mounted, [0011] a drum associated with at least one end of the
supporting member, [0012] at least one line member that can be
wound onto and off the drum, and [0013] a first removable clip
including: [0014] a body portion defining a channel for receiving a
portion of the supporting member, and [0015] an upwardly extending
portion, wherein the upwardly extending portion is configured to
hold the at least one line member relative to an external surface
of the drum during transportation or prior to operation of the
screen assembly.
[0016] The present invention is particularly directed to a screen
assembly as described above where the first removable clip prevents
the at least one line member from unwinding from the drum during
transportation and/or prior to operation of the screen assembly
within an opening defined by a window or door frame.
[0017] As mentioned above, the first removable clip includes a body
portion. The body portion may be any particular size or shape
suitable for mounting to the supporting member or to a portion of a
mounting assembly that is associated with the supporting member. In
preferred embodiments, the shape of body portion substantially
corresponds to the size and shape of a portion of the supporting
member. In some embodiment, the shape of the body portion is
substantially ring or annular shaped.
[0018] The body portion preferably includes at least one and
preferably a pair of shaped arms defining an opening for allowing
the supporting member to enter the channel defined by the body
portion. The opening may be any particular size suitable for
allowing the body portion to be received thereinto and in a
particularly preferred embodiment, the at least one and preferred
pair of arms are at least partially resilient to allow some
temporary deformation or deflection outwardly during mounting to
the supporting member and during removal from the supporting
member, and which when attached to or relative to the supporting
member, exerts a clamping force to resist accidental but not
determined removal. The opening may be defined by a pair of ends.
In preferred embodiments, each end is rounded in order to
facilitate mounting the first removable clip relative to the
supporting member.
[0019] The resilient body portion includes an inner surface for
abutting an outer surface of the supporting member or a portion of
a mounting assembly that is associated with the supporting member.
The shape of the inner surface of the body portion may
substantially correspond to at least a portion of an outer surface
of the supporting member or to a portion of a mounting assembly
that is associated with the supporting member. The body portion
further includes an upper surface for abutting an outer surface of
the drum, a bottom surface in particular. The shape of the upper
surface of the body portion may substantially correspond to at
least a portion of a bottom portion of the drum.
[0020] The body portion may include one or more recesses. In
preferred embodiments, the body portion includes two recesses.
However, a person skilled in the art would understand that the body
portion may include any number of recesses suitable for obtaining
the level of resilience required to mount the resilient body
portion to the supporting member. The one or more recesses may
extend from an inner surface of the resilient body portion and
extend outwardly. Advantageously, the one or more recesses increase
the resilience of the body portion or the arm(s).
[0021] The upwardly extending portion may extend from the body
portion. In some embodiments, the upwardly extending portion may
extend from an upper surface of the body portion. In alternative
embodiments, the upwardly extending portion may extend from a side
surface of the body portion. When mounted to the supporting member,
the upwardly extending portion preferably extends in a direction
away from the supporting member or screen and towards the drum.
[0022] The upwardly extending portion may be any particular size or
shape so long as it is configured to prevent the at least one line
member from falling from the drum or becoming loose. Preferably,
however, the height of the upwardly extending portion corresponds
substantially to the height of the drum.
[0023] The upwardly extending portion may extend on an angle. The
angle may substantially correspond to an angled side surface of the
drum. In some embodiments, the upwardly extending portion may
extend inwardly. In some alternative embodiments, the upwardly
extending portion may extend outwardly. A skilled person, however,
would understand that the upwardly extending portion need not
extend on an angle, particularly if the outer surface of the drum
is vertical or substantially vertical (i.e. does not include an
angled outer surface).
[0024] The upwardly extending portion may include an overhang
portion. The overhang portion may extend inwardly toward a central
axis defined by the body portion, above the opening in the body
portion. In some embodiments, the overhang portion may extend from
a free edge of the upwardly extending portion. In some embodiments,
the overhang portion may extend and inner surface of the upwardly
extending portion. The overhang portion may be configured to secure
the upwardly extending portion relative to the drum in order to
prevent at least one line member from falling from the drum or
becoming loose.
[0025] The first removable clip may further include a second body
portion for aiding in the mounting, removal or both the mounting
and the removal, of the body portion to or from the supporting
member. A person skilled in the art would understand that the
second body portion may be in any particular form, for example, a
hook or other means suitable for gripping or insertion of a tool to
aid removal of the first removable clip from engagement with the
supporting member and drum. In some embodiments, the second body
portion may be in the form of a tab. The tab may include an
aperture, one or more ridges or recesses, etc for aiding in
gripping the tab.
[0026] It is preferred that the first removable clip of the present
invention is substantially unitary and although any material may be
used, a plastic or similar material is particularly preferred.
[0027] The screen may comprise a mesh screen, a reflective
material, and insulating material, a see-through material, a dark
material, combinations and the like. The screen may be made of any
suitable material including woven or nonwoven fabrics, plastics,
flexible metals (for instance aluminium foil), laminated materials,
bonded materials, reinforced materials, and the like. The screen
may be made of a single material, a combination of materials, may
be made of a single sheets, or a plurality of sheets that are
attached together, and it is not considered that any particular
limitation should be placed on the invention by the selection of
the screen type. There may be circumstances where the screen
comprises a plurality of elongate members which may be somewhat
rigid and which are foldably or hingedly attached to each other
such that the screen can still be rolled.
[0028] The screen will typically extend across a window or door
opening and will therefore have dimensions to suit. It is also
envisaged that the screen may be used in any area which would
benefit from such an assembly and not necessarily limited to a
window or door opening. The screen will typically have a height of
between 1-3 m, and may have a length of between 1-10 m and
preferably between 1-5 m.
[0029] The screen assembly can function as an insect screen, a
blind, an awning and the like.
[0030] The supporting member about which the screen is
wound/unwound may comprise any suitable member such as a rod, a
tube, and the like. The length of the supporting member will
typically be dependent on the height of the cavity or opening, in
which the assembly will be fitted and is expected that a suitable
length will be between 1-3 m. The supporting member may be made of
any suitable material such as plastic, wood, metal, composite
materials and the like. The diameter of the supporting member can
vary but it is expected that the diameter will be between 1-20
cm.
[0031] Although it is envisaged that the supporting member will be
generally cylindrical, under some circumstances, the supporting
member may have a polygonal cross-section such as rectangular,
octagonal etc. It is envisaged that the supporting member will be
made of a single length of material, although, if considered
expedient, the supporting member may be made of a plurality of
lengths which are connected together. It is also considered that
supporting member may be extendable if desired (for instance
telescopic). It is also considered that the term "supporting
member" should include anything which can support the otherwise
flexible screen material.
[0032] The substantially vertical supporting member will typically
be elongate and preferably tubular with a hollow internal void,
preferably extending over the length of the supporting member.
[0033] An annular boss or similar may be included above that
portion of the supporting member about which the screen is wound
and spaced from an underside of the drum, in order to receive the
first removable clip between the end edge of the screen and the
bottom surface of the drum.
[0034] The supporting member will preferably have a periphery which
may include a spline mounting channel. The spline mounting channel
is preferably an opening formed into one circumferential portion of
the supporting member with a smaller entry opening in the external
circumference of the supporting member and a larger spline mounting
portion such that once the spline is mounted within the spline
mounting portion, the spline cannot be removed through the entry
opening and is inserted and withdrawn longitudinally. In use, the
screen will normally have a loop or similar formed at one end to
receive an elongate spline. The loop will normally be located
within the spline mounting channel and the spline then passed into
the loop in order to attach or mount the screen relative to the
supporting member.
[0035] As mentioned above, the screen assembly includes a drum
associated with at least one end of the supporting member. The drum
may have a simple conical profile, or a more complicated profile
which may have cone shaped portions which may diverge or converge,
cylindrical portions, other shapes, combination of shapes and the
like.
[0036] Typically, the drum will be attached to, or relative to one
end of the supporting member, and it is preferred that the drum is
attached to, or relative to an upper end of the supporting member.
It is also preferred that the drum tapers outwardly from a narrower
diameter furthest from the supporting member, to a larger diameter
adjacent to the supporting member, although this can be reversed if
desired.
[0037] The drum of the present invention is preferably
frustoconical with one end of the drum being smaller in dimension
than the opposite end of the drum, and a frustoconical external
wall portion extending between the smaller end and the larger end,
about which the at least one line member is wound.
[0038] The drum may be mounted relative to the supporting member by
any suitable means know in the art. Preferably, the drum is mounted
relative to the supporting member such that rotation of the
supporting member causes rotation of the drum or vice versa.
[0039] It is preferred that the drum of the present invention is
substantially unitary and although any material may be used, a
plastic or similar material is particularly preferred.
[0040] Turning now to the line member, the line member may comprise
any suitable material such as steel, plastic, composite materials
and the like. It is envisaged that the line member will be
substantially circular in cross-section although it is envisaged
that the line member may also be substantially flat (e.g. a strip
or strap), oval in cross-section and the like. The line member may
comprise a wire, a "rope", a laminate of material, a chain, a cable
and the like. One end of the line member may be fixed to the drum.
The line member may also comprise a "ball chain" which is a cord
with balls attached at spaced apart intervals.
[0041] The screen assembly may further include a stile or drawbar
to which the second edge of the screen is mounted and which a user
can grasp or grip to draw the screen across the opening. The
drawbar may be any particular size or shape. Preferably, however,
the drawbar will extend along at least a portion of the second edge
of the screen. In some embodiments, the drawbar will extend
substantially along the full length of the second edge of the
screen.
[0042] The screen assembly may further include a second removable
clip. The second removable clip may be any removable screen clip
known in the art suitable for fixing a drawbar relative to a screen
wound about a supporting member. In preferred embodiments the
second removable clip may include a resilient first body portion
defining a first channel for receiving at least a portion of the
supporting member, and a resilient second body portion defining a
second channel for receiving at least a portion of the drawbar,
wherein the first body portion is mountable relative to at least a
portion of the supporting member and the second body portion is
mountable relative to at least a portion of the drawbar such that
the supporting member and the drawbar are held in a fixed
relationship relative to one another.
[0043] The first body portion may be substantially similar in shape
to at least a portion of an outer surface of the screen when wound
about the substantially vertical supporting member. The first body
portion may be substantially annular.
[0044] The first body portion may define a channel for receiving a
portion of the substantially vertical supporting member and wound
screen. The first body portion may define an opening for a portion
of the substantially vertical supporting member and screen to enter
the channel.
[0045] The second body portion may extend from a portion of the
first body portion. The second body portion may be substantially
similar in shape to at least a portion of an outer surface of the
draw bar.
[0046] The second removable clip may further include one or more a
structural support walls configured to prevent relative movement
between the first body portion and the second body portion. The one
or more a structural support walls may be any size or shape.
[0047] It is preferred that the second removable clip of the
present invention is substantially unitary and although any
material may be used, a plastic or similar material is particularly
preferred.
[0048] According, to another aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a method of installing a screen assembly, the method
including: [0049] a. positioning a screen assembly relative to a
window or door frame defining an opening, the screen assembly
including: [0050] i. a flexible screen having a first edge and a
second edge, [0051] ii. a substantially vertical supporting member
about which the screen can be wound/unwound and to which the first
edge of the screen is mounted, [0052] iii. a drum associated with
at least one end of the supporting member, [0053] iv. at least one
line member that can be wound onto and off the drum, [0054] v. a
drawbar to which the second edge of the screen is mounted, [0055]
vi. a first removable clip including: [0056] A. a body portion
defining a channel for receiving a portion of the supporting
member, and [0057] B. an upwardly extending portion, [0058] wherein
the upwardly extending portion is configured to hold the at least
one line member relative to an external surface of the drum during
transportation of the screen assembly; and, [0059] vii. a second
removable clip including: [0060] A. a resilient first body portion
defining a first channel for receiving at least a portion of the
supporting member, and [0061] B. a resilient second body portion
defining a second channel for receiving at least a portion of the
drawbar, [0062] wherein the first body portion is mountable
relative to at least a portion of the supporting member and the
second body portion is mountable relative to at least a portion of
the drawbar such that the supporting member and the drawbar are
held in a fixed relationship relative to one another; [0063] b.
removing the first removable clip from engagement with the
supporting member; and [0064] c. removing the second removable clip
from relative engagement with the supporting member.
[0065] A skilled person would understand that the features of this
aspect of the invention may be as described above in relation to
the first aspect of the invention.
[0066] According to another aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a removable clip for a screen assembly including:
[0067] a flexible screen, [0068] a substantially vertical
supporting member about which the screen can be wound/unwound,
[0069] a drum associated with at least one end of the supporting
member, and [0070] at least one line member that can be wound onto
and off the drum, the clip including:
[0071] a resilient body portion defining a channel for receiving a
portion of the supporting member, and
[0072] an upwardly extending portion,
wherein the upwardly extending portion is configured to hold the at
least one line member relative to an external surface of the drum
during transportation of the screen assembly.
[0073] A skilled person would understand that the features of this
aspect of the invention may be as described above in relation to
the first aspect of the invention.
[0074] According, to another aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a removable clip for a screen assembly including:
[0075] a flexible screen, [0076] a substantially vertical
supporting member about which the screen can be wound/unwound,
[0077] a drum associated with at least one end of the supporting
member, and [0078] at least one line member that can be wound onto
and off the drum,
[0079] the clip including:
[0080] a resilient body portion defining an opening for receiving a
portion of a supporting member and drum assembly, and
[0081] an upwardly extending portion,
wherein the upwardly extending portion is configured to hold the at
least one line member relative to an external surface of the drum
during transportation of the screen assembly.
[0082] A skilled person would understand that the features of this
aspect of the invention may be as described above in relation to
the first aspect of the invention.
[0083] Any of the features described herein can be combined in any
combination with any one or more of the other features described
herein within the scope of the invention.
[0084] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not,
and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of
suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general
knowledge.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0085] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the
invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description
which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art
to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be
regarded as limiting the scope of the p01Invention in any way. The
Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as
follows:
[0086] FIG. 1 is an exploded isometric view of a door or window
frame and screen assembly according to a preferred embodiment of
the present invention.
[0087] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the screen assembly shown in
FIG. 1.
[0088] FIG. 3 is an enlarged end view of a screen mounting tube,
drum and retainer clip according to a preferred embodiment of the
present invention.
[0089] FIG. 4 is a top view of the screen assembly without the line
member according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0090] FIG. 5 shows the method of mounting a retainer clip relative
to a screen mounting tube and drum.
[0091] FIGS. 6A-6C show various views of the screen installation
clip shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0092] FIGS. 7A-7F show various views of the retainer clip shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0093] FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a single screen assembly
according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0094] FIG. 9 is a schematic view of a double screen assembly
according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0095] According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the
present invention, a screen assembly 10 and particularly a screen
mounting assembly are provided.
[0096] The screen assembly 10 of the illustrated embodiment (best
illustrated in general in FIGS. 1 and 2) includes a flexible screen
11 having a first edge and a second edge, a substantially vertical
supporting member 12 about which the screen can be wound/unwound
and to which the first edge of the screen 11 is mounted, a drum 13
associated with at least one end of the supporting member 12, at
least one line member 14 that can be wound onto and off the drum
13, and a first removable clip 15 including a resilient body
portion 16 defining an opening 17 for receiving a portion of the
supporting member 12, and an upwardly extending portion 18, wherein
the upwardly extending portion 18 is configured to hold the at
least one line member 14 relative to an external surface of the
drum 13 during transportation or prior to instalment of the screen
assembly.
[0097] The present invention is particularly directed to a screen
assembly 10 as described above where the first removable clip 15
prevents the at least one line member 14 from unwinding from the
drum 13 during transportation and/or prior to installation of the
screen assembly 10 within an opening 19 defined by a window or door
frame 20.
[0098] As mentioned above, first removable clip 15 includes
resilient body portion 16. As best shown in FIGS. 7A-7F, resilient
body portion 16 includes an inner surface 21 for abutting a portion
of the supporting member 12 and an upper surface 22 for abutting a
portion of a bottom surface of the drum 13. The shape of the inner
surface 21 of the resilient body portion 16 substantially
corresponds to a portion of an outer surface 23 of the supporting
member 12. Furthermore, the shape of the upper surface 22 of the
resilient body portion 12 substantially corresponds to at least a
portion of a bottom surface of the drum 13.
[0099] As can be seen best in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the resilient body
portion 16 is annular in shape.
[0100] The resilient body portion 16 defines an opening for
allowing the supporting member 12 to enter opening 17 defined by
the resilient body portion 16.
[0101] Resilient body portion 16 includes a pair of recesses
24.
[0102] As best shown in FIG. 7A, upwardly extending portion 18
extends from the resilient body portion 16. When mounted to the
substantially vertical supporting member 12, upwardly extending
portion 18 extends away from supporting member 12 (as shown best in
FIG. 3). The height of the upwardly extending portion 18
corresponds substantially to the height of drum 13.
[0103] As best shown in FIGS. 7D and 7F, upwardly extending portion
extends on an angle. The angle substantially corresponding to the
side surface of the drum 13.
[0104] Turning back to FIGS. 7A, 7D and 7F, upwardly extending
portion 18 includes overhang portion 25. Overhang portion 25
extends inwardly toward a central axis defined by resilient body
portion 16. In the embodiment shown, the overhand portion 25
extends from a free edge of the upwardly extending portion 18. A
skilled person, however, would understand that in some embodiments,
overhang portion 25 may extend from an inner surface of the
upwardly extending portion 18.
[0105] Together the resilient body portion 16 and the upwardly
extending portion 18 mount the first removable clip 15 relative to
the supporting member 12 and drum 13.
[0106] The first removable clip 15 further includes a second body
portion 26 for aiding in the removal of the resilient body portion
16 from the supporting member 12. A person skilled in the art would
understand that the second body portion 12 may be in any particular
form, for example, a hook or other means suitable for gripping or
insertion of a tool to aid removal of the first removable clip from
engagement with the supporting member and drum. In the embodiment
shown in FIGS. 7A-7F, the second body portion 26 is in the form of
a tab. The tab includes an aperture 27.
[0107] As is shown in the Figures, the first removable clip 15 is
substantially unitary and although any material may be used, a
plastic or similar material is particularly preferred.
[0108] The screen 11 may comprise a mesh screen, a reflective
material, and insulating material, a see-through material, a dark
material, combinations and the like. The screen may be made of any
suitable material including woven or nonwoven fabrics, plastics,
flexible metals (for instance aluminium foil), laminated materials,
bonded materials, reinforced materials, and the like. The screen
may be made of a single material, a combination of materials, may
be made of a single sheets, or a plurality of sheets that are
attached together, and it is not considered that any particular
limitation should be placed on the invention by the selection of
the screen type. There may be circumstances where the screen
comprises a plurality of elongate members which may be somewhat
rigid and which are foldably or hingedly attached to each other
such that the screen can still be rolled.
[0109] The screen 11 will typically extend across a window or door
opening and will therefore have dimensions to suit. It is also
envisaged that the screen 11 may be used in any area which would
benefit from such an assembly and not necessarily limited to a
window or door opening. The screen 11 will typically have a height
of between 1-3 m, and may have a length of between 1-10 m and
preferably between 1-5 m.
[0110] The screen assembly 10 can function as an insect screen, a
blind, an awning and the like.
[0111] The length of the supporting member 12 will typically be
dependent on the height of the cavity or opening, in which the
assembly 10 will be fitted and is expected that a suitable length
will be between 1-3 m. The supporting member 12 may be made of any
suitable material such as plastic, wood, metal, composite materials
and the like. The diameter of the supporting member can vary but it
is expected that the diameter will be between 1-20 cm.
[0112] Although it is envisaged that the supporting member 12 will
be generally cylindrical, under some circumstances (as shown in the
present drawings), the supporting member may have a polygonal
cross-section such as rectangular, octagonal etc in other
embodiment. It is envisaged that the supporting member will be made
of a single length of material, although, if considered expedient,
the supporting member may be made of a plurality of lengths which
are connected together.
[0113] The supporting member 12 will preferably have a periphery
which may include a spline mounting channel 28. The spline mounting
channel 28 is an opening formed into one circumferential portion of
the supporting member 12 with a smaller entry opening in the
external circumference of the supporting member 12 and a larger
spline mounting portion such that once the spline is mounted within
the spline mounting portion, the spline cannot be removed through
the entry opening and is inserted and withdrawn longitudinally. In
use, the screen will normally have a loop or similar formed at one
end to receive an elongate spline. The loop will normally be
located within the spline mounting channel and the spline then
passed into the loop in order to attach or mount the screen
relative to the supporting member 12.
[0114] As mentioned above, screen assembly 10 includes a drum 13
associated with at least one end of the supporting member 12. The
drum 13 has a simple frustoconical profile with one end of the drum
being smaller in dimension than the opposite end of the drum, and a
frustoconical external wall portion extending between the smaller
end and the larger end, about which the at least one line member is
wound.
[0115] Drum 13 is attached to, or relative to an upper end of the
supporting member 12. Drum 13 tapers outwardly from a narrower
diameter furthest from the supporting member 12, to a larger
diameter adjacent to the supporting member 12. In alternative
embodiments (not shown), this can be reversed if desired.
[0116] Drum 13 may be mounted relative to the supporting member by
any suitable means known in the art.
[0117] Drum 13 of the illustrated embodiment is substantially
unitary and although any material may be used, a plastic or similar
material is particularly preferred.
[0118] The line member 14 may comprise any suitable material such
as steel, plastic, composite materials and the like. It is
envisaged that the line member 14 will be substantially circular in
cross-section although it is envisaged that the line member may
also be substantially flat (e.g. a strip or strap), oval in
cross-section and the like. The line member may comprise a wire, a
"rope", a laminate of material, a chain, a cable and the like. One
end of the line member may be fixed to the drum. The line member
may also comprise a "ball chain" which is a cord with balls
attached at spaced apart intervals.
[0119] The screen assembly may further include a drawbar 29 to
which the second edge of the screen 11 is mounted. The drawbar 29
may be any particular size or shape. As best shown in FIG. 2, the
drawbar 29 extends along the second edge.
[0120] The screen assembly 10 may further include a second
removable clip 30. The second removable clip 30 may be any
removable screen clip known in the art suitable for fixing a
drawbar relative to a screen wound about a supporting member.
[0121] In the illustrated embodiment, the second removable clip 30
includes a resilient first body portion 32 defining a first opening
33 for receiving at least a portion of the supporting member 12,
and a resilient second body portion 34 defining a second opening 35
for receiving at least a portion of the drawbar 29, wherein the
first body portion 32 is mountable relative to at least a portion
of the supporting member 12 and the second body portion 34 is
mountable relative to at least a portion of the drawbar 29 such
that the supporting member 12 and the drawbar 29 are held in a
fixed relationship relative to one another.
[0122] The first body portion 32 is substantially similar in shape
to at least a portion of an outer surface of the screen when wound
about the substantially vertical supporting member. The first body
portion is substantially annular.
[0123] The first body portion may define an opening 31 for a
portion of the substantially vertical supporting member 12 and
screen 11 to enter the opening 33.
[0124] The second body portion 34 may extend from a portion of the
first body portion 32. The second body portion 34 may be
substantially similar in shape to at least a portion of an outer
surface of the draw bar 29.
[0125] Second removable clip 30 further includes one or more a
structural support walls 36 for preventing movement of the first
body portion 32 towards the second body portion 34.
[0126] It is preferred that the second removable clip 30 of the
present invention is substantially unitary and although any
material may be used, a plastic or similar material is particularly
preferred.
[0127] The screen assembly 10 of the illustrated embodiment (best
illustrated in general in FIGS. 8 and 9) includes a flexible screen
11, a substantially vertical supporting member 12 about which the
screen 11 can be wound/unwound and has an upper end and a lower
end, at least one biasing spring 50 to create a tension in the
screen 11, a drum 13 associated with at least one end of the
supporting member 12, at least one line member 14 that can be wound
onto and off the drum 13, the line member 14 being operatively
associated with the screen 11 such that as the screen 11 is
extended, the line member 14 is wound onto the drum 13, and as the
screen 11 is retracted, the line member 14 is wound off the drum
13, the screen 11, when wound about the supporting member 12 having
a diameter which increases as the screen 11 is wound about
supporting member 12, and which decreases as the screen 11 is
unwound from the supporting member 12.
[0128] The present invention is particularly directed to a screen
assembly as described above where the flexible sheet-like screen 11
is wound about a supporting member 12 or tube (for example), and
where the supporting member 12 is positioned substantially
vertically such that the screen 11 extends and retracts in a
horizontal direction as illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9 in
particular.
[0129] A feature of the screen assembly is to "tune" the drum
diameter to be about the same as the diameter of the screen about
the supporting member. Thus, as the screen is unwound, and the
diameter decreases, the diameter of the drum, where the line member
is wound onto the drum also decreases, to be about the same
diameter. Conversely, as the screen is wound back onto the
supporting member, and the diameter increases, the diameter of the
drum where the line member is unwound from the drum also
increases.
[0130] This particular feature enables the screen to be "balanced"
at almost every point of extension and retraction which means that
a person feels no resistance from the mesh tension at any position
during operation of the unit. It also enables the screen material
to have considerable tension to minimise sagging.
[0131] By "tuning" the diameter of the drum line to the diameter of
the screen/supporting member, the forces seem to be quite balanced
which means that it is relatively easy to pull the screen across
the cavity without feeling an increased pullback force from the
spring, and if the screen is let go, it will stay in position or
possibly move only quite slowly.
[0132] One way by which the "tuning" can be achieved is to have a
drum which has a conical shape, or where part of the drum has a
conical shape, such that as the line member is wound onto, or off
the drum, the diameter at the position where the line member
contacts to drum will vary, and by designing a conical shape with
regard to the diameter of the retracted screen, it is possible to
have the two diameters to be approximately the same at all
times.
[0133] The main purpose of the first removable clip 15 is to hold
the line member 14 in the correct place on the drum 13 until the
line member 14 is threaded through the pulleys 51 and tensioned by
the springs 50. Once the line member 14 is tensioned, it resists
falling off the drum 13 and the first removable clip 15 can be
removed. If the first removable clip 15 is not present the line
member 14 can still be tensioned but has a very high chance of
being in the wrong position on the drum 13 which will result in
unbalance mechanism that will prevent the screen stile or drawbar
29 from staying where it is placed.
[0134] In the present specification and claims (if any), the word
`comprising` and its derivatives including `comprises` and
`comprise` include each of the stated integers but does not exclude
the inclusion of one or more further integers.
[0135] Reference throughout this specification to `one embodiment`
or `an embodiment` means that a particular feature, structure, or
characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is
included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus,
the appearance of the phrases `in one embodiment` or `in an
embodiment` in various places throughout this specification are not
necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the
particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined
in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.
[0136] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been
described in language more or less specific to structural or
methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is
not limited to specific features shown or described since the means
herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention
into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its
forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended
claims (if any) appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the
art.
* * * * *